Courage - Breakaway Devotionals 2026 - Thursday

“Do you want to be healed?”

That sounds like a silly question to ask someone disabled who has been lying on a mat on the ground for thirty-eight years.

John 5:1-15 tells a well-loved narrative often used when talking about disability, the healing at the Pool of Bethesda.

Thirty-eight years! That’s how long the man had been lying near the pool. He longed to get into the water after it was stirred, yet he couldn’t do it on his own or get to the water fast enough to be the first one in.

When Jesus came on the scene, He asked the man, “Do you want to be healed?”

This seems like a silly question. Of course he does.

So why did Jesus ask? I don’t know for sure, but some sanctified imagining leads me to wonder: had the man ever asked anyone else for help in the thirty-eight years? Had he tried to roll nearer and nearer to the edge of the pool so he could roll in when the waters were agitated? Maybe Jesus asked, so the man took some responsibility for accepting the help and healing.

The Bible doesn’t tell us any of this. What we know is that Jesus asked the man if he wanted to be healed. The man said yes and explained his dilemma. At his reply, Jesus healed him without the effects of the water.

So, what about you and me? What do you need to be healed of today? Do you have the courage it takes to ask for help—both from Jesus and others?

We don’t know all that the man did after Jesus told him to get up, pick up his mat, and walk. He responded to the Jewish leaders who asked who had healed him. I wonder if he ever went back to the pool and helped anyone else like him get into the pool?

Do you? Do I? If you have had a personal encounter with Jesus, how did it change your life? Have you shared that with others who may need to hear and know about Him?

Devotional written by Joan Borton for Breakaway Family Camp - A ministry of Lift Disability Network

Follow along with the camp's daily devotionals HERE.